Description:
The correct answer is:
✅ Refraction of light
Why?
Mirages occur due to temperature gradients near hot surfaces (like deserts or roads), which bend light abnormally:
Hot Ground: Heats the air just above it, creating layers of differing densities.
Light Bending (Refraction): Light rays curve upward as they pass through these layers, making the sky appear reflected on the ground.
Illusion: Your brain interprets this as a "pool of water" or distant objects floating.
Types of Mirages:
Inferior Mirage: Common in deserts (appears as water on the ground).
Superior Mirage: Cold surfaces (e.g., polar regions) can make objects seem to float above the horizon.
Why Not the Others?
❌ Lunar gravity: No effect on light paths.
❌ Ozone depletion: Impacts UV radiation, not optical illusions.
Fun Fact: The word "mirage" comes from the Latin mirare ("to look at, wonder")—fitting for such a baffling sight! 🌊🔥
Bonus: Mirages also appear on highways in summer—watch out for those "wet roads"! 🚗💨